1. What is the problem?

Obesity is a global epidemic that along with overweight affects over a third of the world’s
population and contributes to more deaths globally than underweight. It is a major risk
factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and co-morbidities such as diabetes,
depression, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

2. Why is it a problem? (Causes)

This complex and multifactorial disease is characterised by a chronic, systemic low-grade
inflammation. Studies have shown an association between dietary patterns and
inflammatory biomarkers. More pro-inflammatory diets, typically “Western-like” diets are
associated with obesity and higher waist circumferences. Poor dietary patterns, akin to
“Western-like” diets are characterised by high intakes of refined starch, sugar, saturated fat,
trans fat and low intakes of fibre and antioxidants from fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

 Relationship between diet and inflammatory markers: diet regulates chronic

inflammation
o Decreased fruit and vegetable intake, decreased physical activity = 1 of top
10 causes of mortality in developed countries
 Inflammatory markers in obesity

3. What are the consequences of the problem?

Poor dietary patterns increase the release of pro-inflammatory substances and decrease
anti-inflammatory substances in the body, which ensued by a pro-inflammatory milieu,
leads to metabolic syndrome. Overweight and obesity is the second largest cause of deaths
attributable to NCDs

 Metabolic syndrome
 Obesity related to diseases, early mortality, QoL
 The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) is a well-validated tool to assess the
inflammatory potential of a diet. >>> association with diseases

4. What is the Gap in the literature?

There are no studies that examine the relationship between the DII and obesity among
Australian students, or between the DII and obesity among Indian Australians.

5. What is your contribution i.e.:

 Topic title
The association between dietary inflammatory index and weight status among
Australian students/Indian adults in Australia
 Aim/s:
 To investigate the relationship between the dietary inflammatory index and
obesity in Australian students/Indian adults in Australia
 Objectives:
Examine:
1. The link between the dietary inflammatory index and weight status in the
sampled populations
2. The link between dietary acculturation and DII and weight status in the
sampled populations
3. Determine if the DII is predictive of weight status and/or obesity-related co-
morbidities
4. Aid in prevention interventions through policies (WHO: policy action of NCDs)
References